Lancaster Bomber 2014 Transatlantic Flight

@SuperbattleshipYamato Yeah after taking a crash course/refresher on what went down during the interwar period in the Pacific it’s crazy to think that with some tweaking Japan and a version of China could have wound up as BFFs instead of arch-enemies.

In most history classes in the US the European side of things gets covered in detail (well only post 1933. H-Man’s rise is usually just handwaved as "evil man came out of NOWHERE and TOOK OVER German FOR NO REASON). Japan is typically just portrayed as an opportunistic backstabber of a country that was bullying China, who was facing internal divisions for vaguely explained reasons.

I was reading this document (https://history.army.mil/html/books/104/104-20/CMH_Pub_104-20.pdf) which counted the Panzer 1 as a tankette. Do any of you think this is a better description for the vehicle than a light tank? It’s not much heavier than some Japanese tankettes and its armament and crew size is certainly similar.

This is the first time I’ve heard of classifying the vehicle as a tankette, which is why I find it noteworthy.

@Witt

Thank you so much! I appreciate your input.

@ABWorsham4

Curious. Would’ve been a complicated air operation, given that escorting aircraft may have had to come from carriers. Then again, the Western Allies ruled the skies.

The success would’ve depended on whether the Italian government collapsed (Mussolini and the facists overthrown) and the army would’ve defected as quickly and massive as they did following the invasion of Sicily. If a substantial number were at least disarmed, it’s quite possible enough Allied troops could’ve been ferried into Italian ports to hold against an expected German counterattack.

While I don’t think the Allies would’ve reached the Italian-Yugoslavian or Italian-German borders, they may have reached what would become the Gothic Line by early 1944. Just making probable estimates, I did not look this in detail.

The US ‘Ghost Army’ was a unit specialized in deception: by building and operating mockups, they gave the Germans the impression of being a large army, drawing the enemy’s attention away from actual operations. They famously participated in Operation Fortitude in 1944, aimed at leading the Germans to believe that the allied invasion would occur somewhere else than it actually did. Later, they transferred to mainland Europe and continued to mislead the enemy.

Surviving veterans have now finally received their well-earned decorations.

@ABWorsham4

Hi AB

Started Forsyth The Fox a few weeks ago. Only about an hour in. Triplea keeping me busy and hockey playoffs going now, so be a bit before i finish it :)

Agreed. I know she does not recognise them though. She always chooses the American Carrier and Ft, incidentally. We have not been downstairs in the cellar to study for a long time now. My friend was lodging with us and we went down most days. He left over six months ago.
As long as she points out the Tiger (131 at Bovington), nothing else will matter.
Al is keen to let her see these war machines, but it will be a while yet.

I hope you have been well Marc.

didnt see much action in the war cuz it was almost over…but the B36 Peacemaker was one BIG sucker!!!